(Chapter 9)

Jasper was in the main room of the Sanctuary reading 'The Book of Hero's' again to learn more about the enchanted place. He looked up to see the puppy scratching at the door where Jake was sleeping.

"Sorry pup. Your master is resting. He has been in there for a while though, almost sixteen hours. I am beginning to worry."

Jasper decided to head toward the sleeper room. He softly knocked before entering, not wanting to see him half nude again. He waited a few seconds and knocked once more. No answer. He opened the door and saw Jake was still in the same position when he crashed on the bed. He walked a little closer to the bed side to see if he was still breathing. He couldn't see his chest but saw his back rising and falling. Jasper was content in knowing he was still alive. He gathered the pup who was making a desperate attempt to try and jump on the bed.

"No no no. Let him rest." He whispered.

"Jasper?" Jake murmured.

"Oh. Sorry to wake you, sir. I was just checking on you."

"No. That's ok." He sat up on the bed, stretching out his arms.

"I have never slept that long in my life. Even after a hang over." He chuckled.

"I'm sure sir. Anyway. I learned more about the Sanctuary. There is a hidden room here in the trophy room. It is a older cullis gate that allows you to go to an ancient part of Albion. You may be able to visit the Hero's Guild where older hero's were made. You may be able to visit Oakvale as well. Birthplace of your great great great great...etcetera etcetera...grandfather."

Jake's eyes went big.

"How? Like...time travel?"

"Not time travel. You will be able to see present day Oakvale. You won't be able to see your ancestors. Just see where they were born. It would be quite a thing to see. You may even meet other hero's."

"Unreal!" Jake said.

"My thoughts exactly. I was skeptical like you. Then I got too curious and found the inactive cullis gate."

"I may explore that later. I believe it is a good idea to get cleaned up and get out of these pajamas. I know Sabine is still waiting for me."

"Oh yes. I believe you kept him waiting long enough."

"I don't suppose Walter is in Brightwall anymore?"

"Probably not sir."

"Alright. I will head to the Dweller camp then."

"Very good sir."

He opened the dressing room door and put on what he had on yesterday. The outfit was cleaned and pressed so it looked brand new.

"Thanks again Jasper."

"Anytime sir."

He headed for the map table. He leaned over it and he heard a bing again. He looked down to the left.

'Villager is requesting assistance in package delivery. Brightwall.'

Jake stood up with a confused look.

"Something the matter?"

"Look at this weird quest card. How are people even putting these on the map table?"

"Something else we don't know about the Sanctuary." Jasper said and read the card that Jake held.

"Delivery service? How strange."

"What do these people think I am!? I'm not a delivery boy!"

"Well said sir!"

Jake looked at the card, thinking of tearing it up, then he sighed.

"I am a Hero...if I need to be a delivery boy...then I need to be a delivery boy. I will accept this quest."

"How very good of you sir. Putting the people's needs before yours."

Jake murmured something incoherent.

"I do however need to talk to Sabine. That is more important than a package. Erm...unless this package is medicine for an orphanage...then I don't know what to do first."

"Just go talk to Sabine first. Maybe he won't keep you long." Jasper reasoned.

"Okay." Jake said.

He leaned over the map again and teleported to the Dweller camp.

He shivered.

'Walter was right. It is cold up here.'

"Walter?" Jake shouted.

"Ah. There you are." He heard Walter's voice from behind him.

"I told Sabine you talked to Saker and well..." He trailed.

"Yes?"

"He did ask you to kill Saker but I guess you proven yourself to be the better man."

"Well..it gave me no joy to kill all those bandits."

"At least you disbanded them. In a rather violent way."

"Thanks Wally." He said sarcastically.

"Sabine is on your side for the revolution. You have Saker on your side as well. You are getting closer to taking the throne. There is still an army at Logan's disposal. You need more allies."

"You seem to know a lot about this whole revolution business. Was there a revolt when you were a soldier?"

"No. When your father was king there were no revolutionaries. Things were peaceful. Of course there was a few problems but your father was a master negotiator. He always knew what do to to make both sides happy."

Jake smiled. He had a lot to live up to it seemed.

"Well Walter. You want to head back to Brightwall?" Jake said at last.

"Yes. Take me to the pub. Are you sure you don't want to join me in some ale? My treat."

"Now that you mention it...what the hell. Let's go get hammered! I need to let loose." Jake said crudely.

He grabbed Walter's hand again, teleporting to the Sanctuary.

"Welcome to the Sanctuary." Jasper said.

"Hello Jasper." Jake said.

"You haven't forgotten about your courier quest."

"N-no."

"What?" Walter was confused.

"Oh. I accepted another quest card. I am a temporary delivery boy."

"You are something else. Accepting quest cards without question." Walter said.

"Not entirely. I kinda threw a hissy fit...but I did accept it."

"Hissy fit or not. You put the needs of others before yours!" Walter said.

"I believe I said that very thing just a few moments ago." Jasper added.

"It's true, Jake. You doubt yourself and there is no need to."

"Alright. That is more than enough with the camp fire reaffirming songs." Jake chuckled.

He leaned over the map table once more and in a flash they were in Brightwall again. It was just past seven and it seemed the pub was in full swing.

"Ah ha! Things are starting to get rolling!" Walter exclaimed, practically running to the pub. Jake smiled and shook his head. As he started for the pub, he remembered the quest he had to do.

'It is late. Maybe the person is in the pub.' He thought to himself.

"Jake! Jake!" A female voice was calling for him.

He turned and saw Christina running toward him. She had better looking clothes and her hair was braided.

"Hey! How are you?" Jake beamed.

"I never thanked you for rescuing my daughter. I kind of yanked her from you and ran off." She gave him a warm hug once she caught up to him.

"Your happiness is thanks enough. Really. I don't want anything."

"No. I must give you something. Please. Come with me." She grabbed his gauntleted arm and pulled him through the town. She headed to a house along side the river, the last house on the block. There she knocked on the door for some reason.

"Why did you knock on the door to your own house?" Jake asked.

"I lost my home when I had to pay for the search party for my daughter. I had to sell it in order to pay the guards. This isn't my house."

Jake was about to ask who's house it was when a man opened the door. He had dozens of tattoos on his arms and face. He wondered how many more he had.

"Christina? Who is this?" The man asked.

"This is the man who saved Sharon."

The man gave him a crushing bear hug.

"You are most welcome here! You are a hero!" The man said.

He let go of Jake and humbly invited him into his home. He walked in and saw Sharon coloring on a piece of paper. She looked up at him and dropped her pencil.

"Jake!" She darted towards him, almost knocking her little table over. She gave him a hug around his waist.

He smiled at her fondly remembering what she had been through.

'Girls got nerves of steel.' He thought.

"Jake! I am so glad to see you! Please! Come in the back yard with me!" She pleaded.

"I would love to but I can't stay. I need to find the person who gave me this quest card." He held it down to her so she could read it.

"I...believe I know who gave that to you." Christina began.

"Oh yes?" Jake waited for her answer.

"I did. But I don't have a package for you. I am sorry Jake. I abused the quest card method. My daughter wanted to see you so badly. There was no possible way we could contact you. This was the only way we could get you to come back."

Jake wasn't mad. He was a little disappointed that there was no quest but he couldn't say no to his new friends. Especially to the little girl that has been through so much. To Sharon, he was a celebrity.

"It's alright. I can tear this card up then, right?" He smiled.

"Yes. I am glad you understand. You can stay for a while then? It would mean the world to her if you stayed at least until tomorrow. My daughter is crazy about you." She asked.

Jake looked at Sharon. Her eyes were big and pleading for him to spent the night.

"I wouldn't be a bother?"

"Absolutely not. In fact it would be the greatest honor. We could have a cookout to celebrate my daughters return!" She suggested.

"Food?!"

"Yes. Whatever you wish! We will cook it for you."

"Then I guess I have no choice. I am forced to stay here and endure the best of Brightwall's hospitality!" He mock huffed. He winked at Sharon. She didn't go weak. No. She just felt a mini earthquake and fell on her bottom. Jake was instantly there to pick her up.

"Are you okay?" He asked half laughing.

"Y-yeah. I just...fell. That's all."

"What do you want to do? Your mother says you are crazy about me." He smiled.

"Jake. I want to talk to you actually. Can you come in the back yard please?"

"Sure. Lead the way."

She lead him out back and sat down on the small stairs. She patted the ground next to her prompting him to sit. He sat next to her and turned his body so he could look at her. The sun was almost gone. It was a little difficult to see her face.

"Jake. I need to tell you something. I am sure my mother told you why I wanted to see you. She was not lying when she said I was crazy about you. But she meant it in an entirely different context." She looked at the ground.

"Actually. No. She never told me exactly. What she told me just a few minutes ago was all I heard."

"Jake. You are a wonderful man. You saved me and you are asking nothing in return. But that's not the reason why I am crazy about you."

"What are you saying exactly? Make it clear please." He looked at her. He knew what she was going to say next, he just wanted her to say it.

"Jake. I have feelings for you."

"What feelings? Feelings of friendship? Of remorse? Of what?"

"Of love Jake. I have fallen in love with you. You can call it puppy love. Call it whatever. I have feelings of love for you." She blurted out. Her mind was on auto pilot as she waited for his reaction. Did she shoo him away? Did he have the same feelings for her or did he only see her as a little girl?

"I know you have been through a lot. Most people would have given up hope after being locked in that cage. You are a strong girl. A quality that I happen to like in a woman." He finished.

She looked up and her eyes went big again. She was hoping to all gods he was going to confess the same feeling.

"You are still young though. You are a little girl. You still should be running from boys pretending they have cooties." He laughed a little.

"That part died when I was in that cage. There were worse things than cooties that I saw." She teared up.

Jake sympathized, he didn't want to make her cry.

"I am so sorry. If only I was there for you. You wouldn't have gone through any of that." He said somberly.

"It isn't your fault. The only thing you are guilty of is being completely innocent, yet you managed to make things right. You are my hero. My wonderful hero." She half smiled.

He smiled back at her and he took her hands. They were so small in his. He looked at her for the longest time.

"You are so mature for your age. I guess that is what happens when you have to fend for yourself. It is really astonishing what you came through."

"Jake. Please. I need to know right now how you feel about me."

The sun was now gone. It was too dark to see her facial features. He casted a low grade fireball in his palms and she jumped a little.

"There you are." He said as he smiled.

"Please."

"Sharon...I can't say it. It is not right. You are too young. It wouldn't be right. It would be also a crime. Me dating a little girl who isn't even legal?"

"Who said anything about dates? I just want to know how you feel. I told you how I feel. I love you, Jake." It was easier for her to say now that he knew. She just needed him to say it back.

"You will have a special place in my heart." He said lamely.

"You can't say it, can you?"

"No. I can't. You are not in my age group. I am sorry."

She stood up and ran away from him.

"Sharon! Wait!" He called after her and gave chase but she didn't listen. She ran to her room and slammed the door behind her.

"What did you do to my daughter?" Christina asked accusingly.

"Nothing!" He thought for a second. "I guess I kind of did something." He looked at his feet.

The tattooed man was up in his face in a heartbeat.

"What did you do?!" He threatened.

"Your daughter has feelings for me. She has fallen in love with me and I didn't tell her what she wanted to hear."

"She isn't my daughter. Her father was murdered when bandits attacked him and stole his cargo. I am just a close friend who picked these two up after Christina sold her house. I opened my doors to them. You should open the doors to your heart and at least tell her you have feelings for her."

"What!? I don't have feelings for her! Plus that's a lot different then saying you love someone!" Jake said defensively.

"Why else would you hang around?"

"I...don't know. She is a strong girl, but that is what she is. She is too young for me." Jake hung his head.

"Jake, we know she likes you. My daughter knows what she wants. It is true she is too young for you. I told that to her but she dismissed it like it wasn't a big deal. We will support you two if you decide it is time." Christina said.

"Well. Now I sort have wished you both knew. It would have made it easier for me to return her feelings. I feel bad now." Jake said defeated.

There was an unusual silence. Jake sat down at the table and Christina stood near him.

"I made roasted chicken if you like." Christina said trying to soften things up. The atmosphere was awkward, it was suffocating. Jake almost acted on leaving but remembered he promised he would stay the night.

"Alright. Sounds good. I think after diner I will try again." Jake said.

Christina walked towards Sharon's bedroom door and knocked lightly. She could hear small sobbing.

"Jake? Is that you?"

"No. Jake is at the diner table. You want to eat?"

Christina opened the door and saw her little girl laying on her bed back side up.

"I do. I want Jake to eat in my room. Just Jake."

Christina looked at her.

"Mom. I know what I want."

"I know. Just...Jake knows we know. He may try again."

"He will?" Sharon asked full of joy.

"He will. Just don't think he is doing it because we gave him the okay. He has the same feelings for you as you do for him."

"How do you know?"

"It is something he said. He almost felt relieved we know." She walked out the door leaving her daughter to think about what Jake said and why he had an all of a sudden turn of mind. She sat on her bed waiting for him to walk in. It was about ten minutes later when he walked in with two plates with food on them. He smiled at her and she was no longer mad at him.

'Darn his face.' She laughed at herself inwardly.

"I hope there is room for two." He said putting the plates down on her desk.

"There is always room for you." She said. He picked up on the flirtatiousness in her voice.

'Maybe this won't be so bad.' He thought. He was a little more comfortable.

"Let me get some drinks. What do you want?" Jake asked.

"Water sounds good." She smiled.

"Okay. Be right back." He said.

He turned and walked to the door. Sharon's eyes dropped down to his bottom as he walked away. She was sure she had him, she just needed him to declare his feelings just as she did.

Jake returned after just five minutes with two cups full of water and she noticed he closed the door. She accepted the water with a nod.

"Thank you." She said. Her fingers brushed his as she took the cup. It felt like she was going to faint.

"Here is your plate." He handed her a plate with a small piece of chicken on it.

"I wasn't sure how much you eat so I took the smallest piece."

As they ate on the bed, they both sat cross legged and kept their plates on their laps.

"Jake you have something..."

Instead of finishing her sentence, she moved the plate on the bed and crawled closer to him. She licked the small piece of chicken on the corner of his mouth.

"That tasted better on you." She purred.

"Sharon! You..." For once he was at a loss of words.

She only laughed at his blushing pink face.

"I didn't want that on your face. I wanted to make sure I got it." She said with a shrug.

He smiled.

"You are a little flirty thing aren't you?" He said throaty.

"I guess I learned the best from the worst." She said as she shrugged.

He shook his head.

"That's not a good thing. Love is something special. It isn't just mindless...erm." He paused forgetting he was with a child.

"Oh Avo." She said.

"What?"

"Why are you so perfect?"

"I am far from perfect. You know what? Let's not talk about this. I am ready for dessert. What about you?"

"You are my dessert."

That shocked him even more when she licked chicken off his face.

"I think I am in over my head."

She smiled at him.

"You didn't think a child would be so brazen?"

"Hell no. But I will tell you what I think."

"What do you think?"

"I think I love you too."

"Think?"

"You give me a few more years and I will return for you. I promise."

"A few years!?" She exclaimed.

"Shhh! Yes." He said laughing.

"Why a few years?"

"You don't know why I am really taking all these quests, do you?" He inquired.

"No. Enlighten me." She crossed her arms.

'This is gunna be good.' She thought.

"Because I am the Prince of Albion. I am King Logan's brother. I am King Jake the first's son. I am plotting a revolution to overthrow my brother and take the throne of Albion. I can not be distracted by a relationship right now. This is a very serious situation. I need you to wait for me. I will come back for you. You have my word." He said finally.

She couldn't believe him but she did at the same time. He was a hero. He said it without a hint of sarcasm. He held his eye contact and never gave a reason for her to think differently.

"Now do you understand?" He asked.

She paused for what seemed to be an eternity to him. She looked in his eyes to see if he would laugh and say, 'Got'cha.' but he never did. She registered it all in her head. All the information seemed to bounce around.

"I do and I don't." She said at last.

"Good enough." He said.

"I am willing to wait for you. You are way past waiting for, only, please come back to me."

"I tell you what."

He rose from the bed and walked to her nightstand. He took a piece of paper and tore it in half. He grabbed a pen and began scribbling on the paper. He then walked back to her giving her one piece and keeping the other.

"It says 'I promise.' and mine says 'I promised.' You begin to doubt me, pull out that paper and read it. You will have your doubts erased." He folded up his paper and put it in his pocket.

She had tears in her eyes and a few that fell on the paper as she looked at it. She then held it close to her chest completely touched by his action. She looked up and had a tearful but smiling face.

"Oh you are good." She said at last.

He just chuckled and sat back down on her bed.

"We should go to sleep. It is a little after ten o'clock." He said, looking at the small grandfather clock.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did but go ahead."

She giggled at him.

"You are so goofy. Are you ever not goofy?"

"I am an easy going guy. That is what I am told anyway."

"I like that. Serious when you need to be, goofy when you're not."

"What did you want to ask me?"

She all of a sudden felt stupid and she didn't know why.

"D-do you wanna..." She trailed.

He gave her a look.

"Um. Do what?"

"Do you wanna sleep with me?" She mentally smacked herself. She waved her hands in her face.

"Nonononono! Not that!" She quickly recovered. "What I meant was, do you want to sleep in my room? My bed is two small mattresses pushed together."

"Well that is a lot less of a loaded question." He said with a hint of laughter. "Sure. Let's pull this bed apart." He said getting off the bed.

"I can ask my mom where an extra set of sheets are."

"Okay."

She left the room as he began to strip the sheets off her bed. He took the pillows off her bed and set them on the dresser. He saw a dozen folded little papers where the pillows were.

'It is not my business what she puts under her pillows.' He thought to himself.

As he collected the small notes from the bed, a couple papers fluttered to the floor. One was in bold red ink. He couldn't help but read that one.

'I love Jake.' He mentally read. He smiled. 'This girls got it bad.'

He looked at the rest and they all said the same thing only in different colors and letters. Some were bold, some were light, some were underlined. She even drew them holding hands on a bigger piece of scrap paper. He saw another one and she used a heart shape for the 'A' in his name. 'Really bad.'

He put the torn papers in her nightstand and he continued with stripping the bed. He pulled the mattresses apart but kept them close. Sharon walked in with a sheet set and a big grin on her face.

"This one is for you." She handed them to him. He started putting the sheets on his bed and she made hers. They finished and she turned to him.

"I am going to put my pajamas on."

He took the hint and turned around. She peeked at his face to see if he had his eyes closed. She didn't know why but she didn't want him to see her naked yet. She already made him hers. She guessed she finally understood where he was coming from.

"I am finished." She said bashfully.

"Okay. I need to put on my pajamas." He said. "Wait here." He grasped the Guild Seal in his pocket and he disappeared. She was completely baffled. How could a five foot eleven man vanish without a trace?

She began to worry. After a while she laid down and closed her eyes.

A few minutes later he had on his pajamas. He had his top and bottoms on. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of him. She actually saw how muscular he was. His pecs were well defined through the shirt. He smiled at her.

"Like what you see?"

"Yes." She said with a staring face.

He chuckled and walked to her. He lightly kissed her cheek and she instantly flushed a light pink. He decided to crawl into bed. He slid his feet in and stretched his arm out non verbally indicating she should do the same.

She snapped out of her space mind and did so. She turned to him and rested her head on her left arm. She held out her other arm and he grabbed it with his gauntleted arm laying on his stomach. She closed her eyes and let out a little sigh.

He closed his eyes seconds after her. They both drifted off to the most blissful sleep the both of them have ever had.